Thanks all! I see.

Yah, I guess part of me (the frugal side LOL), thinks, "Well, if Tier V (for Max) isn't readily available, it feels like a waste of money to meld less than Max right now." Heh.

But there are some good ideas here (such as hopefully by then Tier V is easier to get, and you convert the pieces that weren't maxed out to maybe get a Tier V; or just get close enough etc.). Thanks.